The Outfield Help is Already Here?

[Cody Pirkl]

The Twins were expected all offseason to bring in much needed right-handed outfield help. Now that most of the options are off the board, it’s fair to wonder: Have they already made their right-handed outfield addition for 2023?

Image courtesy of David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Farmer has been an average to good shortstop in every season of his career. He’s moved around the infield a bit and has always been a solid regular no matter where he plays, likely a huge reason the Twins acquired him from Cincinnati this offseason. Now that Carlos Correa becomes the everyday shortstop for the near future, Farmer finds himself in a utility platoon role where he should thrive. Could that role include some time spent in the outfield?

Kyle Farmer has spent four total innings in the outfield in his major league career. At 32 years old, it’s somewhat hard to imagine a sudden shift in position, even if it’s just periodically. For as much as the Twins needed depth up the middle for the infield however, Farmer could certainly find himself filling another need in the corner outfield for the Twins. It sure appears the front office is considering this same solution.

Farmer is clearly an athlete, gamer, grinder, whatever term you like to use for this brand of utilityman who can do it all while receiving glowing reviews along the way. Long considered a fantastic clubhouse guy and team player despite playing for some disappointing Cincinnati squads, it’s difficult to envision him refusing if the Twins ask him to try something new. While certainly needing time to get acclimated, it’s not uncommon for middle infielders to transition well to the outfield. See Nick Gordon who, just last year, did a fine job of playing in the grass for essentially the first time in his career.

It sounds like a tall task for a 32-year-old to jump into a new position, but it’s worth noting that the bar to clear in regards to defense is not very high. The recently DFAed Kyle Garlick has never graded out as above average defensively in his career, and was often well below. He was still a viable player for the limited role he was asked to fill. 

Kyle Farmer wouldn’t have to be a premier defender in the outfield. If he even slides into the same tier as Garlick defensively it would help the Twins tremendously. He’s likely to still accrue much of his value on the infield, but the added versatility gives the Twins an arsenal of right-handed flexibility. Not to mention the fact that Garlick may be right back up with the MLB squad right away in 2023.

Any confidence in Farmer playing outfield would have led to the Twins decision to gamble on losing Garlick to waivers. The noted low bar to clear on defense is the only real concern when it comes to Farmer filling the Garlick role. The two are nearly identical in offensive output.

It’s likely that Farmer is capable of being what Garlick was last year, except his recent health paints a much better picture when it comes to availability. And the best part is the Twins gambled and won and still have Garlick waiting in the wings.

It may seem like a ridiculous idea to forego a real right-handed outfield acquisition. The high end market was quick however, and it’s entirely possible that a year long combo of Farmer and Garlick could provide just as much value as the Andrew McCutchen and Tommy Pham types. Possibly even more.

It’s possible that the Twins still bring in a right-handed outfield option in creative fashion, but the free agency market appears finished. At the end of the day, the Twins may have had their right-handed corner outfield addition way back in November. Kyle Farmer could fill a much different need than we’d have expected.

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[Cory Engelhardt]

Ok, let’s go down this path and say that Farmer is the right handed 4th outfielder. How would you then round out the bench otherwise (at least to start the year.) Curious minds :)

[rv78]

If it means less Garlick then I'm all for it.

[GKuehl]

If Farmer is capable of filling the RH OFer role, it opens up the possibility of keeping someone who tears the cover off the ball in spring training. Someone like Austin Martin, Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, or Edouard Julien who otherwise would be unlikely to make the team out of the gate. 

[Dman]

There doesn't seem to be much reason to play Farmer in the outfield that I can see.  If you want more righty bats in the lineup then just move Miranda to 1st base, and put Farmer at 3rd or DH Miranda or Farmer.  Why play him out of position in the outfield when it seems you can pretty easily find room in the infield for him?

The Twins still need a right handed outfield bat and I wouldn't be surprised to see Garlick fill it yet again.  Still a fair bit of the offseason left so things can change but I don't see the need for Farmer in Left baring injuries.

Anyone else notice how much the Twins have inquired about centerfielder's this year?  First Lauriano, then Taylor I think they are looking for backup potential for Buxton which would be nice.  So far though no interest or prices high.

[HoskenPowell]

Great idea.  It worked out great with Royce last year so why not take a middle infielder with little to zero experience and see if we can screw up two years of his career.

[scottsilvi]

4 minutes ago, HoskenPowell said:

Great idea.  It worked out great with Royce last year so why not take a middle infielder with little to zero experience and see if we can screw up two years of his career.

Somebody had his cheerios peed in this morning!

[Trov]

Personally, I believe playing corner OF is one of the easier defensive positions to play.  The hardest thing is judging where the ball will be and taking good routes.  SS have to practice good routes on pop ups all the time, so it is not like he will have not had some level of practice on that.  I will say that a great defender in the OF can help a ton, robbing doubles and what not, but it is much easier to transition to OF from infield than other way.  

Gordon was pointed out as recent, but we have had many others on our team, Cuddyer was drafted as SS, moved to 3b at MLB and eventually went to right.  Our now Joey Gallo I believe was a 3b in college and coming though minors, to become a top OF defender.  Gordon for KC similar path, 3b on defense coming up to transition to LF and was amazing there.  

I am not saying Farmer will be top notch, but it is not uncommon to make the switch, even late in career.  

[Trov]

7 minutes ago, HoskenPowell said:

Great idea.  It worked out great with Royce last year so why not take a middle infielder with little to zero experience and see if we can screw up two years of his career.

Lewis injury was an overall fluke.  Many guys make the transition to OF from infield.  To argue that because someone who has not played the OF will get injured, means that everyone will get injured playing OF, because at some point it is their first time playing it.  I could go over several guys that transitioned to OF later in career, or even early in career after playing infield whole time growing up, that never got injured playing OF.  

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

30 minutes ago, Dman said:

There doesn't seem to be much reason to play Farmer in the outfield that I can see.  If you want more righty bats in the lineup then just move Miranda to 1st base, and put Farmer at 3rd or DH Miranda or Farmer.  Why play him out of position in the outfield when it seems you can pretty easily find room in the infield for him?

The Twins still need a right handed outfield bat and I wouldn't be surprised to see Garlick fill it yet again.  Still a fair bit of the offseason left so things can change but I don't see the need for Farmer in Left baring injuries.

Anyone else notice how much the Twins have inquired about centerfielder's this year?  First Lauriano, then Taylor I think they are looking for backup potential for Buxton which would be nice.  So far though no interest or prices high.

I agree, mostly since I have been promoting improved defensive fundamentals.  Putting an infielder (e.g. Arreaz, Sano, etc.) in the outfield is not a good idea for improving their OF defense IMHO.  Keep him in the infield or DH to keep his RH bat in the lineup.

[roger]

I don't understand all the concern with getting a RH outfielder.  So what if the four top corner outfield candidates are left handed?  Our shortstop and third baseman are both right handed.  Is everyone concerned that the Twins find a left handed hitting shortstop or third baseman to play against right handed pitchers and have Correa or Miranda sit?  No.  

The current lineup as it stands is 100% balanced.  Four swing from the right side (C-SS-3B-CF), four from the left side (1B-LF-RF & likely the DH who will be one of the corner outfielders or Arraez), and one switch (2B).  Perfect balance.  Who cares where they are when they are out on the field?

[Doctor Gast]

We'll need him to fill an RH 3B & DH bat 1st before he can be supplemented in the OF.       RH bats. Buxton CF, Correa SS, Miranda 1B, Polanco 2B, Farmer 3B, Celestino OF, Garlick OF, Vasquez DH, Jeffers C, 

We forced to start the season with both Celestino & Garlick. I'd have like Celestino to start at AAA. So I'd still like to have an extra RH OF bat. Yet it's nice to know the we have an extra RH OF bat to take away the temptation of putting Lewis out there.

[Dman]

12 minutes ago, roger said:

I don't understand all the concern with getting a RH outfielder.  So what if the four top corner outfield candidates are left handed?  Our shortstop and third baseman are both right handed.  Is everyone concerned that the Twins find a left handed hitting shortstop or third baseman to play against right handed pitchers and have Correa or Miranda sit?  No.  

The current lineup as it stands is 100% balanced.  Four swing from the right side (C-SS-3B-CF), four from the left side (1B-LF-RF & likely the DH who will be one of the corner outfielders or Arraez), and one switch (2B).  Perfect balance.  Who cares where they are when they are out on the field?

No one would be concerned about a right handed hitting outfielder if the Twins OPS against left handed pitchers wasn't so poor.  If the lefties could hit lefties it wouldn't be a concern.  They can't thus the concern.

[Cris E]

48 minutes ago, Dman said:

Anyone else notice how much the Twins have inquired about centerfielder's this year?  First Lauriano, then Taylor I think they are looking for backup potential for Buxton which would be nice.  So far though no interest or prices high.

It was kind of a surprise, to be honest. It doesn't bode well for Gordon, that's for sure.  In fact I could easily see them trading him and keeping Kepler as the short term CF sub and Celestino as the long term injury sub down in AAA. (Gallo has spent a little time in CF as well, and doesn't complain about it.) As soon as Lewis returns the standard for utility play is going to be much higher. 

Regarding the actual topic, I think they want a new LF after last year's abysmal production from the position. You can say it was Gallo and they're done, but I think they still want a little more certainty going into the year rather than count on the oft-injured and unproven Larnach and Kirilloff duo. That's why I don't expect them to trade Kepler without getting a good return. Fans may be tired of him, but he's very useful to a team with so much youth on the verge of emerging.

 

 

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Ok, let’s go down this path and say that Farmer is the right handed 4th outfielder. How would you then round out the bench otherwise (at least to start the year.) Curious minds :)

OF: Gordon - Buxton - Gallo (Larnach - Farmer)

IF: Miranda - CC - Polanco - Arraez (Kirilof - Farmer)

DH: Garlick  - against lefties

DH: Larnach - Kirilof - Arraez against righties

C: Vázquez - Jeffers

Assuming health…………..Best 13 as of now……..Lewis in late summer may take Garlick’s spot due to IF - OF - DH flexibility.

[roger]

10 minutes ago, Dman said:

No one would be concerned about a right handed hitting outfielder if the Twins OPS against left handed pitchers wasn't so poor.  If the lefties could hit lefties it wouldn't be a concern.  They can't thus the concern.

You are missing my point, Dman.  I want to see the Twins have a balance lineup.  They have that.  Where they play isn't relevant.

[Dman]

5 minutes ago, roger said:

You are missing my point, Dman.  I want to see the Twins have a balance lineup.  They have that.  Where they play isn't relevant.

Sorry!

[JD-TWINS]

Career numbers…… seems like a reasonably balanced offense:

C - Vázquez .274 BA

DH - Larnach .239 BA

1B - Arraez .314 BA

2B - Polanco .270 BA

SS - Correa .279 BA

3B - Miranda .261 BA

LF - Gordon .261 BA

CF - Buxton .244 BA

RF - Gallo .199 BA

3 guys with averages less than .260 & all 3 have quite a bit of Pop or at least the expectation that they will hit for Power

Kirilof - Farmer - Garlick - Jeffers are reasonable bench guys………lots of DH at bats for Buxton - Kirilof - Larnach - Arraez - Garlick

[JD-TWINS]

48 minutes ago, roger said:

I don't understand all the concern with getting a RH outfielder.  So what if the four top corner outfield candidates are left handed?  Our shortstop and third baseman are both right handed.  Is everyone concerned that the Twins find a left handed hitting shortstop or third baseman to play against right handed pitchers and have Correa or Miranda sit?  No.  

The current lineup as it stands is 100% balanced.  Four swing from the right side (C-SS-3B-CF), four from the left side (1B-LF-RF & likely the DH who will be one of the corner outfielders or Arraez), and one switch (2B).  Perfect balance.  Who cares where they are when they are out on the field?

You are certainly right about our general balance through the line-up. The concern stems from, in my opinion, that Gallo is a .199 career hitter and we probably want to sit him against LH pitching so we have some viable chance at success. 

Polanco hits both ways - Arraez - CC - Miranda - Vázquez  - Buxton are all guys that are expected to hit against guys throwing from either side. The younger guys - platoon guys that have poor success from same side pitchers are guys we are trying to protect.

Exactly why Garlick & Farmer may play OF/DH when Lefties are throwing against us. Same with Gordon & Larnach & Kirilof & Arraez & Gallo may all be in the line-up vs. Righties.

[chpettit19]

36 minutes ago, roger said:

You are missing my point, Dman.  I want to see the Twins have a balance lineup.  They have that.  Where they play isn't relevant.

I'm curious about this. I agree that where they play isn't really relevant in a vacuum, but is your goal simply to have an even number of righties and lefties in the lineup every day (plus the SH Polanco) no matter who the starter for the other team is, or what their bullpen makeup is like? 

[Major League Ready]

3 hours ago, roger said:

You are missing my point, Dman.  I want to see the Twins have a balance lineup.  They have that.  Where they play isn't relevant.

Is an exact balance ideal.  Wouldn't it would be advantageous to start the game with an extra RH bat if they had someone on the bench that fit that role and then substitute that person out later in the game as the situation dictates.  They have an advantage in 2-3 ABs and then substitute later in the game back to a balanced line-up.  When they make that substitution, they gain one more AB with a favorable match-up.

[farmerguychris]

I think having both Farmer (right), and Gordon (left) being in super utility roles that can play anywhere on the field to be a great way to give depth in every position.  That Farmer can even catch is just icing on the cake.  Allows us to have 1 more bench player who can focus on either being an OF or IF specialist.

[mickster]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

OF: Gordon - Buxton - Gallo (Larnach - Farmer)

IF: Miranda - CC - Polanco - Arraez (Kirilof - Farmer)

DH: Garlick  - against lefties

DH: Larnach - Kirilof - Arraez against righties

C: Vázquez - Jeffers

Assuming health…………..Best 13 as of now……..Lewis in late summer may take Garlick’s spot due to IF - OF - DH flexibility.

Wasn't Garlick DFA'd?   He would have to be added back to the 40 man if he makes the roster or did I miss this.

[Tibs]

All due respect to Kyle Farmer, but

[jmlease1]

3 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Ok, let’s go down this path and say that Farmer is the right handed 4th outfielder. How would you then round out the bench otherwise (at least to start the year.) Curious minds :)

Gordon and Jeffers are locks. (If Kirilloff is healthy coming into camp, he's probably the 1B/DH split with Arraez right now) If Farmer is seen as a RH OF option and Gallo and/or Kepler are seen as options to give Buxton a break in the OF, then I think it opens up a spot for Larnach, whom I think is still ahead of Wallner, and Celestino starts in AAA.

Not opposed to that?

[2wins87]

1 hour ago, roger said:

I don't understand all the concern with getting a RH outfielder.  So what if the four top corner outfield candidates are left handed?  Our shortstop and third baseman are both right handed.  Is everyone concerned that the Twins find a left handed hitting shortstop or third baseman to play against right handed pitchers and have Correa or Miranda sit?  No.  

The current lineup as it stands is 100% balanced.  Four swing from the right side (C-SS-3B-CF), four from the left side (1B-LF-RF & likely the DH who will be one of the corner outfielders or Arraez), and one switch (2B).  Perfect balance.  Who cares where they are when they are out on the field?

This has basically been my view lately too.

The issue is more at the bench/depth level where Farmer and Celestino are the only two healthy RH hitters on the 40 man that aren't projected starters right now.  At some point Lewis will come back and Garlick passing through waivers helps as he can easily be added back to the 40 man when needed.

I think early in the season a lineup stacked against southpaws might still have 3 LH hitters.  I don't think this is a disaster though.  If Gallo returns to form he should be almost as good against lefties as righties.  And maybe they won't have the optimal lineup, but I don't think a couple of bad matchups at the bottom of the lineup will matter that often if the top of the lineup does what they should.

[chpettit19]

If Farmer can play the corner outfield that'd be huge. Like the article says, he doesn't even have to play it that well to be a useful replacement for Garlick. Farmer is a couple steps faster than Garlick, and Garlick was horrible in the field so the bar is not high. His bat against lefties is just as potent, but his OPS against righties is 70 points higher. Not a huge jump, but he's not completely useless against righties like Garlick.

I'd even think Farmer would be happy to give the OF a shot in spring since it'd open up significantly more playing time opportunities. He's not replacing Correa, Miranda, or Polanco except on rest days. His best chance for playing time is to replace a lefty against lefties. Those opportunities are in the corner OF and 1B. Being able to play the corner OF would put him in the lineup against every lefty starter, and open in game pinch hitting opportunities when lefty relievers come in.

Being able to keep Garlick in AAA, and not on the 40-man, to start the year would be really nice. Same with Celestino (he'd still be on the 40-man, but in AAA). Farmer holding down the RH cOF spot until Lewis or Martin are ready would allow them to never have to put Garlick back on a major league field. That'd make me happy. He's fine as injury emergency guy in AAA, not on the 40-man. I hope he stays in that role because Farmer can bridge to Lewis and/or Martin.

[Craig Arko]

I’d say a bench of Jeffers, Gordon, Farmer, and TBD, where TBD is a decent pinch hitter type, would be a strong bench.

[Dman]

16 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

If Farmer can play the corner outfield that'd be huge. Like the article says, he doesn't even have to play it that well to be a useful replacement for Garlick. Farmer is a couple steps faster than Garlick, and Garlick was horrible in the field so the bar is not high. His bat against lefties is just as potent, but his OPS against righties is 70 points higher. Not a huge jump, but he's not completely useless against righties like Garlick.

I'd even think Farmer would be happy to give the OF a shot in spring since it'd open up significantly more playing time opportunities. He's not replacing Correa, Miranda, or Polanco except on rest days. His best chance for playing time is to replace a lefty against lefties. Those opportunities are in the corner OF and 1B. Being able to play the corner OF would put him in the lineup against every lefty starter, and open in game pinch hitting opportunities when lefty relievers come in.

Being able to keep Garlick in AAA, and not on the 40-man, to start the year would be really nice. Same with Celestino (he'd still be on the 40-man, but in AAA). Farmer holding down the RH cOF spot until Lewis or Martin are ready would allow them to never have to put Garlick back on a major league field. That'd make me happy. He's fine as injury emergency guy in AAA, not on the 40-man. I hope he stays in that role because Farmer can bridge to Lewis and/or Martin.

I don't completely disagree and love your write up!  Still I don't see much of an advantage playing Farmer in left or right.  The current team is so left handed all they need to do is move Arraez to DH and there is room for Farmer in the infield or give Arraez the day off against lefties as he doesn't hit them that well either.  Kirilloff could play first but he is actually listed as an outfielder and has played lot's of outfield on his way up.  Why not use actual outfielders in the outfield?  Who else is there to bat right handed in the infield or outfield? I think Farmer is it.

I don't know what the righty\lefty splits are on Gallo, Kepler, Larnach, Kirilloff, and Gordon are.  Maybe Arraez does better against lefties than all of them.  Still that leaves the DH spot open for a righty.  I just think given the circumstances it makes more sense to play outfielders in the outfield.  Farmer is 32 and while left field isn't all that difficult I'd try and keep him on the dirt where he has played most of his MLB ball.

Farmer could be an acceptable\last resort bridge until Lewis returns but do we know when that will be? The one point you might have me on unless something changes is Farmer is likely better in the outfield than Garlick.  Not having Garlick on the 40 man leaves room for other players. So I would say you are correct in that scenario.  If they did bring Garlick back then yes I would most likely prefer Farmer in the outfield with Garlick in the DH spot as it adds another righty bat and hopefully Farmer would be better defensively in left.

Still I don't think Farmer in the outfield is a "good idea" maybe "necessary" but hopefully the Twins come up with a better option.

[Nine of twelve]

4 hours ago, Trov said:

Personally, I believe playing corner OF is one of the easier defensive positions to play.

Yes. On a major league team the player who is the least skilled at fielding almost always plays LF. (See Young, Delmon and Willingham, Josh.) If the player has a strong arm then RF is OK.